[jalfzou]

CC will use its athletic guards to get in the faces of the newport players full court and they will be able to cause some turnovers and get some easy transition baskets. I am rooting for the 9th and would love to see Newport prove me wrong but I am going to have to go with CC in this one by about 10

Which team will dictate tempo? That's the key. In last year's Sweet 16 first-round game, Holmes had the athletes and the depth to run with Christian County. Newport has the athletes but not the depth. This could be the best first-round game in the tournament. Is Christian County good enough to win it all? I don't know, I haven't seen them play this year, but their record (29-4) is highly impressive. Also, don't overlook the experience factor. CC played at Rupp last year. Newport hasn't been in the Sweet 16 in half a century. I also think CC wins this one by about 10 -- 70 to 60.